Ange vows starting XI changes for Caltex Socceroos

Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will make "at least a couple of changes" to his starting XI for Australia's World Cup qualifier against Japan on Tuesday night.

Postecoglou confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Monday that he wants to make the most of the talent in his squad, and won't be sticking completely to the line-up that started against Saudi Arabia last week.

But Australian fans hoping to see Tim Cahill start in his new home town are likely to be disappointed, with Postecoglou indicating the Melbourne City striker will be used off the bench.

Typically, Postecoglou kept his cards close to his chest and refused to name which players will drop out of the XI that started in Jeddah on Thursday.

"From my perspective I've got a full list to choose from. I think we'll make a couple of changes but I think we were always going to, regardless of the travel aspect," he said.

"I think, we've got a really strong squad and from my perspective, every time we've got a two-game window it's about trying to maximise the talent we've got in the squad.

"We've got some guys who are fresh and I think can do a job tomorrow, and I'll make that final decision after training today but we'll make at least a couple of changes."

Captain Mile Jedinak didn't train in Australia's first session on Sunday after arriving from Saudi Arabia and wore strapping on his knee on Monday but insisted he is ready to play Japan.

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But it appears the 32-year-old defensive midfielder could be one to miss out, with Postecoglou expected to bring in Massimo Luongo and Ryan McGowan for the match at Etihad Stadium.

McGowan is likely to replace Mark Milligan at right back, with the latter a possibility to cover Jedinak as the holding midfielder.

Luongo may step in for Tom Rogic.

Cahill, 36, has only played 112 minutes for club and country since leaving Hangzhou Greentown for City in mid-June and is unlikely to take over from Tomi Juric, who has scored twice in his past three matches for the Socceroos.

"We know how demanding these games are - physically demanding - and he [Cahill] hasn't played a lot of football recently. The A-League has only just begun but he's in great condition, he just lacks some match conditioning," Postecoglou said.

Australia's boss added of Cahill: "If he doesn't start, for sure he'll play an important part in the game at some point, and we've seen that even in the later part of games, even if it's for half an hour he can be damaging to any opponent."

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